Systematic review of glass-ionomer adhesives

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I 2 from 18% to 46%. However, I 2 values less than 50% are usually considered as exhibiting moderate heteroge- neity, and a xed-effects model could be considered. 1 If that model is used, then analysis of only Pandiss and Scotts data would result in the same conclusion: that there was a statistically signicant difference in incisor proclination (Fig 1). It is true that a random-effects model would have led us to the opposite statistical conclusion (Fig 2). However, in both situations, the mean difference in incisor procli- nation was about 1.6 . This difference is probably not of major clinical consequence. There will always be some room for debate when choosing studies to include or exclude in an analysis, as well as when choosing a random- or xed-effects model. However, there is little debate that judgment must always be used when interpreting the results of a meta-analysis. In this case, readers must decide on the clinical impor- tance of 1.6 of difference in incisor position. We would also like to emphasize the relatively few studies we iden- tied on self-ligating appliances that were amenable to meta-analysis. Thus, we do not consider our conclusions to be robust, and they could be inuenced greatly by just a couple of additional, well-conducted trials. Stephanie Chen Geoffrey Greenlee Greg Huang Seattle, Wash Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;139:146-7 0889-5406/$36.00 Copyright Ó 2011 by the American Association of Orthodontists. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2010.12.011 REFERENCE 1. Higgins JPT, Green S, editors. Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions. Version 4.2.6 (updated September 2006). The Cochrane Collaboration; 2006. Systematic review of glass-ionomer adhesives T he authors of the recent systematic review of adhesives are to be congratulated on a thorough review of the literature. I know from experience how much work this involves (Rogers S, Chadwick B, Treasure E. Fluoride-containing orthodontic adhesives and decalcication in patients with xed appliances: a systematic review. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2010;138:390.e1-8). Systematic reviews have a bad reputation because they so often conclude that there is no satisfactory scien- tic evidence for our clinical practice. I agree with the authors that much of the research carried out in this area (and many other areas of orthodontic research) is disappointing due to poor study design, inadequate re- porting, or inappropriate statistical analyses. I hope that future researchers will take note of the authorsrecom- mendations, and we will start to nd denitive answers to the important clinical questions soon. I would like to question one of the authorsconclu- sions. They stated that because of the limitations of suc- cessful bonding with a glass ionomer adhesive, it cannot be recommended.Some studies they cited in the discussion as evidence for this did not actually investigate the use of glass ionomer cements. It is true that Marcusson et al 1 did report a disappointing bond failure rate 2 ; however, this was with a conventional glass ionomer cement. The newer resin-modied glass ionomers are much stronger. I have been using resin-modied glass ionomer for cementing both bands and bonds for several years and in a recent audit found that 4% of my brackets failed during use. I believe this is acceptable, particularly if it reduces the incidence and severity of unsightly deminer- alization during treatment, but I eagerly await the results of an RCT to conrm this. One other thing. Please can we stop upsetting the cariologists by continually referring to decalcication? The correct term is demineralization,because calcium is not the only mineral lost during the process. Philip Benson Shefeld, United Kingdom Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;139:147 0889-5406/$36.00 Copyright Ó 2011 by the American Association of Orthodontists. doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2010.12.007 REFERENCES 1. Marcusson A, Norevall LI, Persson M. White spot reduction when us- ing glass ionomer cement for bonding in orthodontics: a longitudi- nal and comparative study. Eur J Orthod 1997;19:233-42. 2. Norevall LI, Marcusson A, Persson M. A clinical evaluation of a glass ionomer cement as an orthodontic bonding adhesive compared with an acrylic resin. Eur J Orthod 1996;18:373-84. Authors response W e agree with Dr Bensons comments on the rst conclusion of the systematic review. On reection, the conclusion could (and should) be amended to be- cause of the limitations of successful bonding with con- ventional glass ionomer, it cannot be recommended.The studies citied for evidence for this conclusion used Ketac Cem and Fuji Ortho LC, respectively, which we and the authors categorized as glass ionomer cements. 1,2 However, to be more precise, Fuji Ortho LC can be Readers' forum 147 American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics February 2011 Vol 139 Issue 2

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Readers' forum 147

I2 from 18% to 46%. However, I2 values less than 50%are usually considered as exhibiting moderate heteroge-neity, and a fixed-effects model could be considered.1 Ifthat model is used, then analysis of only Pandis’s andScott’s data would result in the same conclusion: thatthere was a statistically significant difference in incisorproclination (Fig 1).

It is true that a random-effects model would have ledus to the opposite statistical conclusion (Fig 2). However,in both situations, the mean difference in incisor procli-nation was about 1.6�. This difference is probably not ofmajor clinical consequence.

There will always be some room for debate whenchoosing studies to include or exclude in an analysis, aswell as when choosing a random- or fixed-effects model.However, there is little debate that judgment must alwaysbe used when interpreting the results of a meta-analysis.In this case, readers must decide on the clinical impor-tance of 1.6� of difference in incisor position. We wouldalso like to emphasize the relatively few studies we iden-tified on self-ligating appliances that were amenable tometa-analysis. Thus, we do not consider our conclusionsto be robust, and they could be influenced greatly by justa couple of additional, well-conducted trials.

Stephanie ChenGeoffrey Greenlee

Greg HuangSeattle, Wash

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;139:146-70889-5406/$36.00Copyright � 2011 by the American Association of Orthodontists.doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2010.12.011

REFERENCE

1. Higgins JPT, Green S, editors. Cochrane handbook for systematicreviews of interventions. Version 4.2.6 (updated September 2006).The Cochrane Collaboration; 2006.

Systematic review of glass-ionomeradhesives

The authors of the recent systematic review ofadhesives are to be congratulated on a thorough

review of the literature. I know from experience howmuch work this involves (Rogers S, Chadwick B,Treasure E. Fluoride-containing orthodontic adhesivesand decalcification in patients with fixed appliances:a systematic review. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop2010;138:390.e1-8).

Systematic reviews have a bad reputation becausethey so often conclude that there is no satisfactory scien-tific evidence for our clinical practice. I agree with the

American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthoped

authors that much of the research carried out in thisarea (and many other areas of orthodontic research) isdisappointing due to poor study design, inadequate re-porting, or inappropriate statistical analyses. I hope thatfuture researchers will take note of the authors’ recom-mendations, and we will start to find definitive answersto the important clinical questions soon.

I would like to question one of the authors’ conclu-sions. They stated that “because of the limitations of suc-cessful bondingwith a glass ionomer adhesive, it cannot berecommended.” Some studies they cited in the discussionas evidence for this did not actually investigate the useof glass ionomer cements. It is true that Marcusson et al1

did report a disappointing bond failure rate2; however,this was with a conventional glass ionomer cement. Thenewer resin-modified glass ionomers are much stronger.

I have been using resin-modified glass ionomer forcementing both bands and bonds for several years andin a recent audit found that 4% of my brackets failedduring use. I believe this is acceptable, particularly if itreduces the incidence and severity of unsightly deminer-alization during treatment, but I eagerly await the resultsof an RCT to confirm this.

One other thing. Please can we stop upsetting thecariologists by continually referring to “decalcification”?The correct term is “demineralization,” because calciumis not the only mineral lost during the process.

Philip BensonSheffield, United Kingdom

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2011;139:1470889-5406/$36.00Copyright � 2011 by the American Association of Orthodontists.doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2010.12.007

REFERENCES

1. Marcusson A, Norevall LI, PerssonM.White spot reduction when us-ing glass ionomer cement for bonding in orthodontics: a longitudi-nal and comparative study. Eur J Orthod 1997;19:233-42.

2. Norevall LI, Marcusson A, Persson M. A clinical evaluation of a glassionomer cement as an orthodontic bonding adhesive compared withan acrylic resin. Eur J Orthod 1996;18:373-84.

Author’s response

We agree with Dr Benson’s comments on the firstconclusion of the systematic review. On reflection,

the conclusion could (and should) be amended to “be-cause of the limitations of successful bonding with con-ventional glass ionomer, it cannot be recommended.”

The studies citied for evidence for this conclusion usedKetac Cem and Fuji Ortho LC, respectively, which we andthe authors categorized as glass ionomer cements.1,2

However, to be more precise, Fuji Ortho LC can be

ics February 2011 � Vol 139 � Issue 2